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VIDEO

How to Choose a Carbon Monoxide Detector

In this how-to video, This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey examines various types of carbon-monoxide detectors

Plumbing and heating expert Richard TretheweyThis Old House television

Overview

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In this video, This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey explains how to choose a carbon monoxide detector.

Steps:

1 Simplest, most affordable carbon-monoxide detector plugs into an electrical outlet.2 Battery-powered plug-in models continue to operate during power outages.3 Combination units detect smoke and carbon monoxide, and are hard-wired into the home's electrical system.4 Unlike smoke detectors, which must be ceiling-mounted, carbon-monoxide detectors can be mounted to a baseboard or set on a bookshelf.5 Digital models constantly display the carbon monoxide levels in the room. 6 Recommendation is to place one carbon-monoxide detector on every floor in the home; minimal requirement is one detector outside of every bedroom.